<p>Hello,
I've been lurking around this website for awhile and it has provided me with a plethora of great info, so I finally decided to join!
I'm going in as a junior transfer student at my new college and I am interested in studying education policy. I absolutely love policy; interned at a state level last semester, taken a few courses. I'm entering a fast-track program to complete my MPA in one year of grad school after taking the other year's worth as an undergrad with an
individualized major with a policy theme" aka Education Policy.
There are a thousand websites offering information about phd/ed programs in education policy, yet I'm still torn on which route would be best post-MPA (which I've decided to pursue since I'll already be halfway through by the time I graduate). I want to work in government as a policy analyst or researcher in a think tank; something like that.
There are a lot of insulting posts about Ed.D graduates in comparison to Ph.D graduates.
Given the fact that I want to work in policy outside of academia, should I be willing to consider an Ed.D program in Education Policy or strictly stick to Ph.D programs?
Also, should I apply to other MPA programs in case I do not get accepted into the MPA program at my college (though I'm 90% sure I will given the credentials I am gaining), or start applying to Education Policy Ph.Ds/Ed.Ds immediately?
Sorry for this being so long. Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>Honestly, do neither. The jobs that you want are insanely rare; if you would be unhappy working in academia, you really shouldn’t get a doctorate in such a specialized field. If you must pick one, the Ph.D is generally considered to have more of the theoretical stuff you want, but… really, don’t go in expecting to get a stable non-academic research job.</p>
<p>I thought policy analysts were a growing field?
I wouldn’t mind academia, I’d just prefer to work in the public sector.</p>
<p>Everyone claims their field is growing. It doesn’t really mean anything, because it turns out the population is also growing.</p>
<p>Anyway, if you don’t mind working in academia, go ahead and get the Ph.D. Just be aware that your chances of getting the public position aren’t good; don’t turn down that tenure-track professorship because you’re waiting on the Senate to call up and offer you a job. (And heck, if you do get that offer, nobody says academics aren’t allowed to jump ship.)</p>
<p>True, that does make sense!
My original aspirations were in teaching; so I suppose academia could mix that with the research component in policy. Thank you very much for your advice! I can’t speak for the future, but I do think I’d jump ship for that offer 
I do wonder if anyone has information on the public policy route in general. I know it is what I want to do, but will I run into trouble, even within academia? What are some other options with a specialization in education policy?
The future is frightening;; and all of my friends seem so sure!</p>
<p>Anyone who is “sure” of anything career-related in this day and age is deluding themselves. You’re smart to be thoughtful and contemplative of your future path.</p>
<p>It may well change several times. I’ve gone from PR flack to sports journalist to park ranger. The era of “one job for life” is dead and gone.</p>
<p>Something to remember about policy jobs is that their availability often shifts with the changing tides of ideology. If your outlook and research runs in a progressive direction, good luck getting hired by the House, for example.</p>
<p>Amarkov offers excellent advice.<br>
Policyhusky, I think you made a wise decision to transfer to a fast track program to obtain a MPA. Unless you need some specialized skills in statistics/research I would suggest holding off on a doctorate if you aren’t interested in academia. If you do decide to pursue a doctorate at some point, I would not recommend the Ed.D (which tends to cater to school-based practitioners). Go for the PhD and make sure to take a look at the top programs so you are marketable. I am not totally versed in Ed. Policy programs, but I am guessing that you will find solid programs at Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia.</p>
<p>polarscribe: I’d always wondered about that-- like do people just lose their jobs and/or gain new jobs from administration to administration? That seems risky! I think it’s cool that you’ve switched around; one job for life would be too easy 
I’ve switched majors four times to get to this point. Freshman year I was torn between finance, econ, history, and political science…and then I interned and decided on none of them (though I still like all of those fields)!</p>
<p>thumzup: Thanks! It seemed like a good thing to do if I’m willing to put in the effort. I figure I might as well get what my money is worth. I just thought that the doctorate is basically an entry point into policy for good positions? At least, that’s what it has been made out to sound like on other websites. Will the MPA qualify me enough for a policy position?
Also, not that I’m going into business, but if I ever did decide to go back and get an MBA or something long down the road at some mid-life crisis when I’m fired from my policy position due to some crazy revolution, does the MPA look good? I’m THINKING it would be better than a PhD in the eyes of business people, but who knows!</p>
<p>If you’re working in legislative or executive policy development, your job does often depend on who’s in political power. Many such positions are not civil service, they are political appointments. And yes, it is risky - jobs come and go depending on the shifting political winds.</p>
<p>Wow, scary! Is it ever a disadvantage to have multiple graduate degrees? I just transferred from a business school because I love policy but in a way I feel that business is important in policy. If I can’t find something directly in education policy or don’t like where I am working, is it ever a negative to get an MBA in addition to the MPA? I’m not sure if having two degrees would look good or bad but it seems like some of it is similar, just a matter of who you’re dealing with (public vs private). I’ve seen a lot of dual MPP/MBA programs, but that of course isn’t an option for me since I’d be silly to give up getting a straight MPA with only one extra year with in-state tuition…just down the road if interests change.</p>
<p>Eeks! Scratch the previous post. The MPA program is #7 in the nation with their specialty being in finance/budgeting and allows for a dual-degree with the MBA to be arranged-- so I’ll talk to my advisors and see what they think about the ordeal. I’ll try to convince them based off of my one-year experience at B-school (which was just too limited and pricey for my undergrad experience/options) which I did enjoy.
Thanks to everyone for your answers/opinions! Hopefully I’ll end up with the best of both, especially being on fast-track! Education policy is the dream, but business/economic policy wouldn’t kill me either.
Now I shall continue to lurk for awhile longer :)</p>